Implementation Examples

City School District Policy

City:

Rochester

State:

New York

Implementation Status:

Implemented

The Rochester Public School District amended their school district’s wellness policy to include a policy of mandatory daily active recess. The policy requires that all elementary schools have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess and explicitly recommends that staff promote ‘moderate to vigorous’ physical exercise during that time. The policy went into effect for the 2012-2013 school year.

City:

Chicago

State:

Illinois

Implementation Status:

Implemented

In 2012, the Chicago Public School District, whose superintendent came from the Rochester City School District, instituted a requirement that grades K-8 be provided with at least 20 minutes of daily recess. The policy mandated that the recess encourages physical activity or that activities promote social skills development.

State Laws

State:

Missouri

Implementation Status:

Implemented

In 2009, Missouri passed SB291, which requires elementary schools to provide a minimum of one 20-minute recess period per day.

State:

Virginia

In 2006, Virginia introduced daily recess through a State Board Rule. The rule requires that all elementary schools (K-5) provide students with daily recess, ‘as determined appropriate by the school.’

State:

Nevada

Implementation Status:

Implemented

Nevada requires schools to designate at least 30 minutes of time for daily physical activity and all elementary schools to serve lunch after the mid-day recess period.

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